Millions of Filipinos converged on cemeteries, transport terminals, and major ports nationwide on November 1, 2026, to observe Undas, the vital cultural tradition dedicated to honoring deceased loved ones on All Saints' Day. Frontline government agencies placed themselves under a Blue Alert status to manage massive crowds braving intense heat, while police and safety authorities deployed tight security protocols and special traffic management schemes across Metro Manila, Caraga, Dumaguete City, and regional transit hubs.
How many people traveled and visited cemeteries during Undas 2026?
Undas 2026 generated massive movement across the Philippines as hundreds of thousands of visitors poured into major memorial grounds ahead of peak dates. According to initial local tallies, at least 110,000 visitors flocked to the North and South Cemeteries of Manila on Saturday, October 31, 2026, with individual reports noting tens of thousands more arriving early on Sunday, November 1. Concurrently, the Parañaque Integrated Terminal Exchange (PITX) logged over 1.38 million passengers as of November 1, while regional bus terminals like those in Quezon City handled thousands of last-minute travelers. The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) further reported that over 60,000 passengers left maritime ports for their home provinces.
What traffic congestion and security measures disrupted travel?
Intense traffic congestion and infrastructure challenges disrupted Undas travel across Metro Manila and surrounding regions. Commuters faced severe delays due to road closures, ongoing C5 flyover repairs, and sudden road crashes that choked critical access routes leading to major memorial parks such as Manila Memorial Park in Sucat and the sprawling cemeteries of Manila. Law enforcement units, including the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO), issued extensive safety reminders and enforced strict security corridors, while regional forces ensured orderly observances in areas like Caraga and Negros Oriental.
What message did President Marcos deliver for the holiday?
President Marcos addressed the nation during the annual observance by urging Filipinos to translate the solemn traditions of Undas into practical acts of kindness and communal solidarity. President Marcos asked citizens to extend their devotion and remembrance of departed relatives into helping one another through charitable deeds and mutual support. Meanwhile, communities marked the holiday with unique local customs, ranging from festive Halloween makeovers for dogs in Bulacan to families gathering under searing heat in Dumaguete City and Manila to offer prayers.
President Marcos urged Filipinos to turn the traditional Undas spirit of honoring the departed into active deeds of kindness and mutual assistance for one another.
